UK politician calls for end to homophobia in sport

A UK Liberal Democrat minister, Stephen Williams, has called for an end to homophobia in football saying the government should apply the same vigour to stamping out anti gay slurs as racism.

Williams, who is Communities Minister, said LGBT people should not have to hide their sexuality for fear of abuse.

Williams believed UK football clubs were well ahead of their European counterparts in their efforts to stamp out racism and suggested the same efforts could and should be applied to ending homophobia.

“Football clubs in England and Wales have done a frankly remarkable job at cracking down on racism since it was rife in the 1970s.With the occasional exception that draws deserved criticism from fans up our game is leagues ahead of many of our European neighbours when it comes to integration, Williams said.

"It isn't acceptable that footballers still feel the need to hide their sexuality out of fear of abuse," Williams told the Daily Mail.

"I want homophobia to be treated with zero tolerance, just the same as racism, and I want clubs, stewards, the police and the FA to work even harder to achieve this."